Vertical partitions for railway cars



June 20, 1961 Filed Jan. 16, 1958 T. O. HENRIKSON VERTICAL PARTITIONS FOR RAILWAY CARS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 D INVENTOR THOR o. HENRIKSON BY K 92% ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 T. o. HENRIKSON VERTICAL PARTITIONS FOR RAILWAY CARS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 16, 1958 JEI-E- 22a I J 22d United States Patent 2,989,011 VERTICAL PARTITIONS FOR RAILWAY CARS Thor 0. Henrikson, Seattle, Wash, assiguor to Pacific This invention relates to improvements in vertical partitions for use in separation and bracing of lading in vehicles of all kinds, including trailer trucks, railway cars, and the like. Generally the present invention comprehends a sectional vertical partition for association with load bracing structures of the type shown in my application Serial No. 564,788, filed February 10, 1956, now abandoned, the partitions having coacting portions to facilitate their alignment and retention against displacement.

The main object of the invention is to provide a vertical partition which may be made in sections, the present illustration embodying two sections with the two sections fabricated from horizontal panels and Vertical slats, the slats being made from plywood, plastic, light metal, or other suitable material and the slats of the two sections having interengaging faces so that the parts, when assembled, will present a flat inner lading-engaging face and an outer face in which the panels extend from side wall to side wall of the car.

Another object of the invention is to provide joints between the vertical partition sections which will maintain'the vertical slats in alignment and against displacement and permit the slats to be positioned throughout the entire transverse area of the car from wall to wall.

These and other objects of the invention will more I clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the instant specification, wherein like characters of reference designate corre-j sponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a railway car showing one form of applicants partition structure in position with the load bracing elements associated therewith;

'FIG'. 5' is a fragmentary rear elevation of a vertical partition'assembly in which the vertical slats of the upper section are braced at their bottom areas; j

FIG. 5A is a section on line 5A-5A. of FIG. 5;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation ofthe partition structure FIG. 6 'is a fragmentary rear elevation of another modif ed form of partition structure in which the upper slatsfare inabutting relation; v 7 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a partition structure in which the slats abut at their adjacent exinterof the upper section overlie the panels of the lower section and the end slat structures of both sections are l fabricated from two slats and have interengaging faces;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a modified" form of'partition in which the slats have their extremities f staggered for engagement;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a modified L form of partition in which the slats have their extremities formed with interlocking ofifset portions;

Fl Gl ll is a fragmentary rear elevation of a modified 'j foiiifdfpartition in which the slats" are diagonally ar Patented June 20, 1961 arce ranged with the slats of the upper section overlying the panel of the lower section;

FIG. 12 is a similar fragmentary rear elevation of a modified form again using diagonal slats in the lower panel with the slats of the upper section vertically arranged and provided with parts for interengaging the extremities of the lower section.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the invention is illustrated assembled as in use within a railway car, the railway car being disclosed as including the floor 1, sidewalls 2 and 3, and roof 4. The sidewalls 2 and 3 of the railway car are shown provided with a plurality of suitably spaced longitudinally extending paral-v lel load retaining rails 6 which may be of any desired form, these rails being provided in their outer longitudinal faces with uniformly spaced vertical slots 7 for receiving the retainer lugs on the ends of the load retainers 9. The load retainers 9 are of the type illustrated in the application above mentioned and include supporting extensions 10 which overlie and rest upon the upper face of the load retaining rails 6.

The vertical partitions are shown as formed of lower section A and upper section B (FIG. 2), each section including horizontal panels and vertical slats. In the presentillustration the lower horizontal panels are shown to be three in number and are indicated by reference panel spaced above the bottoms of the slats 15, the interm-ediate panel generally positioned centrally of the slats and the top panel 14 positioned at the top of the slats. The panels are of generally heavy structure, being illustrated as approximately twice the thickness of the vertical slats 15 to provide the necessary strength for the structure. The slats may be spaced in any suitable man ner, but in the present illustration the slats 15 are equally spaced and fairly closely positioned in vertical parallel alignment to provide a flush inner face for engaging the lading. As previously stated, the bottoms of the slats project below the lower panel 11 while the upper ends of the slats terminate flush with the upper face 16 of the upper panel 14. The upper extremities of the slats have their upper lateral faces 17 inclined at approximately 45 and are arranged in groups with the inclined upper faces of one-half the slats inclined from the bottom upwardly to the right and the left hand group inclined from the bottom upwardly to the left.

The upper section B of the assembly of FIG. 2 is formed of horizontal bracing panels 20 and 21, and the slats 22 correspond to the slats of the lower section A in spacing and vertical alignment. The horizontal panels 20 and 21 are spaced near the top and bottom of the slats. The bottoms of the slats are provided with right and left inclined lateral faces 18 corresponding to the upper faces 17 of the slats of the lower section A for aligned abutting association therewith and with the lower panel 21 of the upper section adapted to be seated horizontally upon the upper face of the upper panel 14 of the lower section. Thus, when the slats are in abutting relation the panel 21 will rest on the upper face 16 of the top panel 14 of the bottom section A. This structure will lock the panel sections against lateral movement and against transverse displacement outwardly away from the lading chamber regardless of warping and shrinkage of the, associated parts. This also will permit alignment of the sections of the slats regardless of expansion or shrinkage of the wooden parts.

Referring now to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the partition presents a continuous flat surface for abutting the lading, while the load retainers or braces 9 can be positioned-to lock the vertical partition against the ladin-g l 2,989,011 p a 1 and against outward displacement. The number of ladingretainers or load braces can be a matter of choice, this factor being determined by thenature of the lading in the partitioned lading chamber. In the present illustration, fivelading retainer'sare shown in position with the bottom lading retainer for the upper partition section B removed to. clarify the illustration.

In FIG. 4 there is a fragmentary disclosure of a modified form of connecting structure between the slats of the upper and lower sections. It will be noted that in the lower section the upper faces of the slats 15a lie against the adjacent face of the panel 14a and are cut to provide angular areas of approximately 45, the adjacent pairs of slatshaving their angular faces inwardly facing and oppositely arranged as indicated at 30. The upper section has spaced panels 20a and 21a arranged substantially as in FIG. 2, however, the ends of the slats have their angular faces 31 outwardly facing and oppositely arranged and cut at an angle corresponding to the angle 30 of the lower section for abutting alignment therewith. In this form, as in FIG. 2, the lower panel 21a of the upper section is adapted to lie flush with the upper face of the upper panel 14a of the lower section when the slats abut and inter-mesh, as heretofore described.

Referring to FIG. the arrangement of the panels 20b and 21b of the upper section is identical with the disclosure of FIG. 4. The same is true with the vertical slats 2 2b, however, inserts or spacer blocks 32 are positioned between the lower terminals of the pairs of slats 22b in the upper section to provide a solid insert portion for positioning between the angular faces 33 of the slats a of the lower section.

In FIG. 6 the structure of the lower section including the panel member 140 and the slats 150 is similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5, however, in the modification of FIG. 6 the structure of the upper section is modified in that in lieu of the spaced slats heretofore used there are provided generally solid slats 35 formed of a plurality of slat elements in vertical abutting association. These slat elements 35 are of the same width as the pair of spaced panels of FIGS. 4 and 5 and are formed of relatively wide slats to fill the space provided in the structures of the previously mentioned spaced assembly. In the structure of FIG. 6 the solid upper slats have their lower projecting marginal edges beveled as at 36 to mate with the inclined faces 37 of the slats 150 of the lower panel section. In this structure substantial rigidity is provided in the arrangement of the relatively wide generally solid slat structure of the upper section.

In FIG. 7 the lower section includes the upper horizontal panel 14d, intermediate spaced slats 15d and relatively wide end slats 38 and 39. These end vertical slats 38 and 39 of the bottom section are provided with inwardly facing diagonal faces 40, these diagonal faces being of substantial length and extending well below the lower face of the horizontal panel 14d, while the intermediate slats 15d terminate with fiat upper ends lying flush with the upper face of the panel 14d. The upper section of the modification of FIG. 7 is generally similarly constructed, including the upper horizontal panel d and the lower horizontal panel 21d, the upper panel 20d being positioned below the upper extremity of the slats 22d while the lower panel 21d has its bottom edge terminating flush along the squared bottom edges of the slats 22d. The bottom edges of the slats 22d extend horizontally, being cut at 90 with respect to their body structures. The upper section of the assembly of FIG. 7 has its end slats 45 relatively wide with outwardly facing angular faces 41 and 42 for mating with the faces 40 of the lower section. It will be noted that the lower panel 21d has its ends extending vertically and flush with the vertical marginal edge of the outer slats, thereby providing acontinuous surface at the bottom of the panel 21d for resting on the upper surface 43 of the upper panel 14d of the lower section when the parts are assembled.

It willalso be noted that when the parts are assembled...

the end slats 45 of the upper section which project below the horizontal panel 21d for seating on the relatively elongated angular face 40 of the end slats 38 and 39 of the lower section.

InFIG. 8 the bottom section includes the intermediate slats 15c and the upper panel 142, the intermediate panel 15e terminating substantially below the upper face 46 of the upper panel 14:; for the reasons which will hereinafter appear. The end slats of the lower section in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 8 are indicated by reference characters 50 and 51 and are relatively wide, being shown in the present disclosure as formed for convenience of two of the intermediate slats, however, they could be made of a single piece of material. These end slats have their upper faces formed with sockets defined by outwardly diverging walls 52 to provide pockets for receiving mating faces of the upper section. The upper section structure includes the upper panel 202 and the lower panel 1e arranged horizontally and connected by spaced intermediate slats 22a, these intermediate slats 22a projecting below the lower surface 53 of the lower panel 212 a suflicient distance to seat upon the upper faces 54 of the lower intermediate slats '15e. The end panels 55 of the upper section correspond in width and in structure to the end panels 50 and 51 of the lower section and have their bottom faces cut to provide converging diagonal walls 56 which seat on the diverging faces 52 of the end panels of the lower section. This arrangement provides against displacement inwardly and also against lateral movement, as well as providing for centering and quick convenient assembly. It is evident that only one end of the vertical partition structure needs to be equipped with tapered panels 50 and 51, the remaining length of the partition having slats 15e and 202.

In the modification of FIG. 9 generatlly the same structural elements are provided as in the other modifications. The lower section includes the upper horizontal panel 141 and the vertically arranged spaced slats 151. The slats ar'e'modified in structure by alternately terminating the upper ends of the vertical slats 15 above and below each other, with the ends 60 of the slats extending horizontally and lying against the horizontal panel 14f. It will be noted in this structure that all of the slats 15f terminate intermediate the upper face 61 and the lower face 62 of the panel 141 which thereby provides a backing to prevent displacement of the upper associated section when assembled. The upper associated section includes the spaced horizontal panels 20 and 21 with the vertical spaced slats 22 arranged therealong with their upper extremities 63 lying in the same horizontal plane. The lower extremities of the slats 22 extend below the lower panel 21; and project in staggered relation below the bottom face 64 of the lower panel 21] for mating and abutting association with the respective upper faces of the lower slats 15 of the lower section. By this arrangement convenient assembly is facilitated and the sections are locked against movement in the direction of the car body when the devices are in use.

In the modified form of FIG. 10 the lower section has the upper panel 14g and the spaced slats 15g arranged there along. In this modification the slats 15g terminate along the upper marginal edge 66 of the upper panel 14g and have their upper corners notched as at 67, it being intended that a predetermined number of these notches face in opposite directions, i.e. to the left or to the right, so as to insure against transverse movement when the parts are assembled. The notches 67 are formed in the upper corners of the slats with their walls atangles. In this structure all of the slats are provided with the same structural notches or recesses and all of the slats terminate at the upper surface of the panel 14g. The upper section of thisassembly includes the upfpaneI 2 01, and lower panel 21g, t e panelsbeing,

spaced and arranged horizontally for association with the vertical spaced slats 22g. The vertical spaced slats 22g are notched for mating with the notches of the vertically spaced slats 15g of the lower section, the notches of the slats of the upper section being defined by right angle walls 68 and 69, the walls 68 of the notches extending horizontally along the bottom edge 70 of the bottom panel 21g. This structure provides projecting prongs of a dimension for seating in the recesses or notches 67 defined in the upper end of the lower slats and heretofore described, and as in the other disclosures, insure seating of the adjacent upper and lower panels.

In FIG. 11 the fabrication of the panel sections is different from that in the previous forms. In FIG. 11 there are shown three horizontal panels 71, 72 and 73, these horizontal panels being connected with a series of vertical slats including end slats 74 and intermediate slats 75 and 76, there being any number of these intermediate slats positioned generally in the same manner and having therebetween'diagonal slats. Certain of these diagonal slats, such as those indicated by reference character 78, connect the upper and lower panels7=1 and 73, thus bracing inbetween all of the slats as shown. Other short diagonal slats 77 are arranged to extend only between a pair of panels as indicated in the drawings. It is, of course, to-be understood that there will be another end slat corresponding to end slat 74 and this latter slat will have its upper extremity diagonally cut as at 80 to provide a seat for a corresponding end slat of an adjoining section. In the structure of FIG. 11 the lower section has all intermediate and diagonal slats terminating below the upper surface 81 of the upper panel 71, while the diagonal face 80 of the end panel or panels is likewise below the upper marginal edge of this upper panel structure. The upper section is similarly constructed but includes in the present illustration merely a single pair of horizontal panels indicated by reference characters 84 and 85, this upper section including a plurality of vertical intermediate slats 86 and diagonal slats 87 arranged intermediate the vertical slats. The end slat of the upper section indicated at 88 has its bottom edge cut diagonally as at 89 for abutting association with the diagonally outwardly inclined face 80 of the end slat 74 of the lower section. In the upper section assembly it will be noted that all of the slats project below the panel 85 a sufficient distance to permit their seating on the upper extremities of the slats of the lower section.

In FIG. 12 there is a slight modification in the upper section, the lower section being constructed as in FIG. 11 and the parts indicated by similar reference char acters. In FIG. 12 the upper section is made of relatively wide slats 90 spaced between the panels 81 and project below the bottom surface of the latter. Other than this arrangement of slats the structure of FIG. 12 and the structure of FIG. 11 is generally identical in association and arrangement of parts.

The present invention contemplates the structure of a vertical partition for use in partitioning and retaining lading in a railway car having features which permit its convenient manipulation and arrangement and is particularly eflicient in that it provides a free, clear, ladingengaging surface and simultaneously permits the utilization of lading retainers of conventional form. In all of the structures the displacement of the sections of the partition is prevented by the interlocking structures shown and described and displacement away from the lading is prevented by the use of the lading retainers heretofore mentioned. The assembly is such that lading can be conveniently handled both in loading and unloading by the removal of a section or sections of the vertical partition during the loading and unloading operation. It will also be seen that in all of the modifications the joints between the sections are so constructed and arranged that the vertical slats will always align and be readily separable thus insuring long life use of the structures.

What I claim is:

1. In a vertical partition assembly for use in trailer trucks, railway cars, and the like, said vertical partition including lower and upper sections, each of the sections including upper and lower horizontal panels and vertical slats attached thereto, the vertical slats of each section being aligned when the sections are stacked and having their adjacent ends in abutting association in assembly, I said abutting ends of pairs of said slats being formed with lateral interengaging face portions, and certain of said horizontal panels being positioned for superimposed abutting association when said slat ends are interengagmg.

2. In a vertical partition assembly for use in trailer trucks, railway cars, and the like, said partitionincluding lower and upper stacked sections, each of the sections including upper and lower horizontal panels and a plurality of vertical slats attached thereto, the slats of each section being similarly spaced for vertical and lateral alignment when superimposed and having end portions for abutting association in assembly, certain of the slat ends and favorable v of one section defining a socket structure, and the abutting slat ends of the other section having mating wall portions for seating in said sockets.

3. In a vertical partition assembly for use in trailer trucks, railway cars, and the like, said partition including lower and upper sections, each of the sections including horizontal panels and a plurality of vertical slats attached thereto, the slats of each section being vertically and laterally aligned, said slats having end faces in abutting association in assembly, certain of the abutting slat ends of one section defining a socket structure with inclined walls, and the abutting slat ends of the other section having mating wall portions for seating in said sockets.

4. The structure of claim 3 characterized in that the inclined walls defining the sockets are formed on the intermediate slats.

5. The structure of claim 3 characterized in that the inclined walls defining the sockets are formed on the end slats.

6. The structure of claim 3 characterized in that the inclined walls defining the sockets are spaced along the surface of one of the panels and the abutting slat ends for association with the inclined walls are formed by the slats of the other section which project below and free of one of the panels of said section.

7. The structure of claim 3 characterized in that the slats, when the sections are assembled, are aligned along an outer surface to define a flush outer panel structure and are further aligned vertically.

8. In a vertical partition assembly for use in trailer trucks, railway cars and the like, said partition including upper and lower sections, each of the sections including upper and lower horizontal panels and a plurality of vertical slats attached thereto, certain slats of each section being aligned and having their ends in abutting association in assembly, the end faces of the slats of one of said sections including converging side walls and the other section having corresponding diverging side walls, whereby the parts are held aligned preventing relative transverse movement.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized in that the converging side walls for receiving the diverging side walls of the other section are formed at the abutting ends of the slats of the sections.

10. The structure of claim 8 characterized in that the converging side walls of one section for receiving the diverging side walls of the other section are formed along a plurality of the slats of each section.

11. The structure of claim 8 characterized in that the converging side walls for receiving diverging side walls of the other section provide V-shaped sockets which pre- Z vent lateral movement of the associated parts and center these sections with respect to each other.

12. The structure of claim 8 characterized in that certainof the horizontal panels are so spaced from the ends of thevertical slats that they will form abutting supporting surfaces for the sections when the ends of the slats are in abutting association.

13. In a vertical partition assembly for use in trailer trucks, railway cars and the like having longitudinally slidable load bracing members, said partition assembly including upper and lower sections, each of said sections including upper and lower horizontal panels and upright slats'attached thereto, certain of the upright slats of one section being positioned to be in alignment with similarly positioned slats of the other section and having their adjacent end faces abutting when said deckboard sections are verticallystacked, said abutting end faces of said slats of adjacent sections including opposed co-acting lateral faces which engage for retaining the slats and the sections in vertical alignment and against lateral displacement, and said lower horizontal panel ofthe upper section seating upon the upper panel of the lower section when the ends of said slats are in abutting association.

14. In a vertical partition. section for use in trailer 9, trucks, railway cars and the like, said partition section being adapted for association with other similar sections and for vertically stacked association, said partition section comprising horizontal panels, said panels having vertical slats attached thereto at one side of the panels, certain of the upper ends of said vertical slats being cut away to provide side faces, certain of which side faces are at opposite sides of the slats, whereby lateral displacement between a pair of sections is prevented when said sections are associated in stacked relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,088,347 Koehler Feb. 24, 1914 2,056,704 Anderson Oct. 6, 1936 2,189,218 Neumeister Feb. 6, 1940 2,274,998 Webster Mar. 3, 1942 2,565,997 Stone Aug. 28, 1951 2,593,174 ODell Apr. 15, 1952 2,872,712 Brown et a1. Feb. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 928,976 France June 16, 1947 

